DIY Origami Crane Earrings

Introduction: DIY Origami Crane Earrings

About: Ashley hails from beautiful, sunny, Idaho--what am I saying? Ashley is actually a potato that has experienced intense genetic modificaiton. Idaho does not exist. I.D.A.H.O. is actually a top secret governme...
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In this instructable, you will learn how to make really cool earrings out of origami cranes! Before you start this instructable I urge you to look at my instructable showing how to fold origami cranes, so you can get some practice beforehand.

This is a great gift to give to someone, and you can really personalize it by printing out designs that are meaningful and personal to the receiver. I have used regular printer paper as well as origami paper to make these earrings, and they never fail to impress!

I used to make these all the time at camp, because you hardly need anything to make it, and everyone loved to receive these really cool earrings.

Step 1: Materials

You're going to want to fold these on paper about 1.5" x 1.5", it gives you an ideal size.

Dangling Earrings

You can pick these up at your local craft store for pretty cheap! I got a pack of 50, which should hopefully last me a while

String or Thread

A needle

Superglue

And that's all!

Step 2: Small Origami Tips

Folding origami can prove to be difficult. Folding tiny tiny origami cranes can prove to be very difficult! Here are some tips and tricks that I found work well for micro origami creations:

Make your beginning folds as accurate and crisp as possible. This attention to detail will pay off in the long run!

Use tweezers or toothpicks to get into small spaces that your fingers can't reach

If it's too small, just start over with a larger square. Sometimes you're just not ready for something that small yet

Practice, practice, practice

Pictured above (and in my origami instructable as well) is the smallest crane I have photo evidence of me folding. It's sitting on top of a goldfish for scale, and was the size of about an eighth of a starburst wrapper! The cranes that I used for these earrings were from paper that was 1.5" x 1.5", and were a perfect size for this.

Feel free to get creative with this! I actually drew a pattern on one of the cranes just to show that you don't have to print out images, just so long as you make them your own.

Step 3: Make Your Earrings!

This is where your fish hook earrings will come into play. Grab your bases, and note that there is a small loop on the bottom. This is where you are going to connect you crane to. Take one of your cranes, and look at where the "feet" are. You'll see that there is a small hole there.

Use a needle (in my case the earring) to poke a small hole up into that hole and through the paper directly above it. Thread your needle, putting 2 or three knots on one end of your thread, and feed the thread through the holes you just made. Then grab your superglue and place a dot just on the knot which should be nestled at the base of the crane's feet. This will keep your string from slipping and your earring intact.

Step 4: Finishing Touches...

Now loop your needle through the eye (at the base) of the earring, and tie a double knot. I like to keep this decently close to the crane, but not touching. This ensures that the cranes will have a little bit of dangle to them, and can move around without the string being taut! Go ahead and carefully place a small dab of superglue on those knots as well, just to make sure they don't slip.

And that's all! These earrings are a really great way to make something special and personalized, without spending a fortune! Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

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2 Discussions

Thanks! Once I learn how to fold something it's a fun challenge to try and fold the tiniest version possible! Using small tools like toothpicks can really help reach in those folds and give good creases.